World of Birds
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Excitement all around — from American white pelican sighting to maturing peregrine falcons and piping plovers
An American white pelican was spotted at Golden Lake. The peregrine falcon offspring are on their own. And the piping plover chicks are making their way, too.
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Summertime, and the livin’ is easy for birds in Ottawa
Summer has come, sunny and hot, and every day brings news of families with nestlings or fledglings out of the nest.
Fledglings growing up so fast
From Ottawa’s own peregrine falcon chicks in the heart of downtown to the fuzzy feathered nestlings in many nature areas of Ottawa, it's time for the fledglings to start testing their wings.
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Ottawa’s spring runs hot and cold
The birds have to continue with their spring and summer schedule in spite of the cold, windy weather. More shorebirds have come in to the lagoons and other stopping places around Ottawa.
Floods of migrating shorebirds provide new identification challenges for Ottawa birders
Area birders have new identification challenges with the arrival of a flood of migrating shorebirds. Do you know where the best places to see shorebirds are?
Hummingbirds abound in Ottawa’s May gardens
It is encouraging that there seems to be a good number of arrivals — more visitors to the feeders including thrashers and indigo buntings and other delights such as more hummingbirds, some arguing over the use of feeders, chasing each other away and courting the female. Orioles are coming to the hummingbird feeders, too, and even a goldfinch was observed trying to take a drink.
Enjoy Ottawa’s May wonders in the world of birds
The birds keep coming, enjoying the sunny days. More and more new sightings are being reported.
Warblers star attractions in Ottawa’s migration follies
Most of the migrants came in this week and some of the new arrivals kept up a constant chorus of song.
Ottawa welcomes our many migrators back
A green veil is creeping over the bush encouraged by the warm days last weekend. The south wind opened the flood gates for the migrating birds, including many warblers.
Ottawa birders discover unusual and wonderful sights
From the Galapagos Islands to the backyards of Ottawa, area birders are spotting everything from the weird to the wonderful in the World of Birds.
April in Ottawa puts us betwixt winter and spring, but the birds pay no heed
April is a fickle month, unable to decide whether to go for snow and freezing temperatures or encourage the crocuses and scillas bravely coming up and flowering.
Ducks and geese in a hurry to mate
Waterfowl are feeling the effects of spring and other birds are already starting to nest.
Returning bluebirds need distant admirers
Bluebirds are returning and birdwatchers and photographers need to remember that bluebirds are nervous parents and like to be left alone. Please keep a distance so the new families can be successful.
Are owls on a collision course with humans?
World of Birds readers are responding to the call for comments on the question. Thank you to all those who have offered their opinions. We have added new information and new comments from readers.
Urge to breed makes birds fly north fast
Every spring the marvel and mystery of migration comes into birders' minds. These immense journeys, undertaken without maps or charts, are carried out more quickly than had been previously believed.
Ottawa’s returning bird migrants foraging for food
Returning migrants have taken advantage of favourable winds and the warm days between the more Arctic temperatures. They are on the move and, in our area, there are many bare fields for them to forage for food.
Spring migration is just around this icy corner
By this time in the year, birders are becoming increasingly impatient. If only March would get warmer and more springlike, the birds would start to arrive from the south.
Red-winged blackbird ahead of the flock
Not too many red-winged blackbirds come in February, but there always seems to be one that must press on to stake a claim on the best breeding territory.
Milder temperatures have Ottawa birds excited
Longer days and milder temperatures are bringing in interesting reports of birds moving about. And more reports of robins coming in!
Happy Valentine’s Day from World of Birds
Visit our photo galleries for more sweethearts like this common redpoll. This week, more of the usual suspects are still about: the great gray owl at Dunrobin, two hoary redpolls and many common redpolls and pine siskins at the Hilda Road feeders, and of course, the hawk owl. Read about them and more in this week's column.
Bohemian waxwings in frosty feeding frenzies
Bohemian waxwings have been in a frenzy of feeding at Hilda Road and white-winged crossbills in many different locations have been reported. There have been a few hopeful reports of robins, but these are over-wintering birds that have never left. We’ll just have to wait for the true spring robins.
Ottawa’s got owls, owls and more owls
It is truly the winter of the northern owls with local barred ones joining the throng. Now the great gray owls have arrived to delight both the birders and the photographers.
Watching woodpeckers in the Ottawa area
A red-bellied woodpecker was a new arrival this week and at least six reports of pileated woodpeckers. Some of them are coming regularly to suet and fat and staying long enough to have their pictures taken. Both sexes have the flaring red crest and the male has a thin red line on the side of his face.
Bohemian waxwings compete with hawk owl for Ottawa birders attentions
The hawk owl is still hunting around Grandview, but Bohemian waxwings are grabbing the attention of birders and photographers.
Pine siskins arriving in good numbers at Ottawa area feeders
As the snow piles higher, pine siskins, heavily streaked finches with small patches of yellow on the wings, are now at the Hilda Road feeders with some redpolls and goldfinches.
For the new year, think about creating habitat for birds
Anyone with a garden or a larger piece of land can plan to develop it into a wildlife friendly, chemically free haven for the embattled species. So much of their problem is the loss of habitat and suitable nesting places.
Birds brave Ottawa's winter challenges
Snow, high winds and freezing rain add to a bird's daily troubles.
Christmas bird counts and Christmas wishes
Please remember the birds on Christmas Day with some extra treats, like a string of peanuts in the shell, hung on their own Christmas tree. Best wishes to all my readers for a very happy Christmas Day with your families and friends. — Elizabeth Le Geyt
Hawk owl catches birders’ attention in Ottawa area
The hawk owl in Gatineau, which has been sitting on the hydro wires, hunting and catching rodents, for at least a week now, has been attracting a lot of attention from birders.
Just looking for a bite to eat
Food is the No. 1 concern for birds. Some are up and about as soon as it is light. Cardinals like to feed early and again at dusk. Jays, too, come at dawn for peanuts to store for possible lean times ahead.
Birds are cheery sights on grey days
November’s dark days with snow and rain, but not too cold, has brought the birds to the feeders.
Birds and birders enjoy Indian Summer
A short spell of Indian summer weather this week made for some pleasant birding. A birding group visiting Presqu'ile Provincial Park found a purple sandpiper.
Feeders at the ready for first snowfall
The birds must have been as surprised by the October snowstorm as the humans.
Fall is a great time to see owls
Amherst Island is a top spot for owl watching which is where this saw-whet owl was seen. Elizabeth Le Geyt writes in this week’s Birds column, “There is a chance that there may be some boreal owls coming south in search of food as the rodents are in short supply up north.”
Migration of ducks and waterfowl in full flight
October is half over and the migration of ducks and waterfowl is progressing apace.
Dos and don’ts for your backyard feeder
A bird feeding station outside your window will give you a great deal of pleasure in the winter. And it will help some of the birds survive the long, cold days and nights.
So many comings and goings
October is the month that the winter feeding station should be installed and filled. Some feeders may have been up all summer but there may be some new birders who would like to start this very worthwhile and helpful activity. More of the brave birds that stay here through the cold and snowy winter months can be helped to survive with this regular supply of food.
Some birds delay departures
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” Keats, Ode to Autumn
A fine spell of weather ushered in the fall season and slowed the
departure of some of the birds as insects were still quite plentiful.
Give and take in world of birds
A great blue heron catches a bite to eat. See more photos at the Herons, Egrets and Cranes gallery.
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